Don Edmonds Movies
- 1995
- R
In this supernatural thriller, an evil developer kills a Mexican Indian and finds himself possessed by the dead man's spirit. Though set in Mexico and Boone County, PA, the film was actually shot in Romania. The story begins as avaricious Leslie Chase is overseeing the construction of a high-rise in a small Mexican town. His efforts are hindered by a local tribe of Indians. Tired of their harassment, Chase has them massacred. One of them survives and ends up biting Chase in the neck before he too is killed. Six years pass and Chase has returned to the US to develop properties there. By day he is himself, but at night his body is possessed by the angry Indian who takes him out for murder and mayhem. He kills the owner of a restaurant one night. Later, the victim's wife, Nora Weeks, hires a cheap private eye to look into it. When he finds out more than he should, he too is axed. Now it is up to Weeks to solve the mystery. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Quentin Tarantino scripted this wild and wooly blend of action and dark comedy, which reached theaters a year before his breakthrough hit Pulp Fiction. Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) is a well-meaning but socially unskilled comic-shop clerk whose idea of a big night out is catching a Sonny Chiba triple-feature at a downtown grindhouse. Clarence is celebrating his birthday in just such a manner when he meets a beautiful girl named Alabama (Patricia Arquette), and it's love at first sight for both of them. Clarence's enthusiasm isn't dampened much when he discovers Alabama is actually a prostitute who was paid by his boss to bump into him; she's only been in the business for a few days, and is more than eager to give up streetwalking to be with Clarence. However, Alabama is certain her pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), will not be happy; he's an ill-mannered sort with mob connections and a fondness for violence. Chivalrous Clarence offers to break the news to Drexl and collect her belongings, but he doesn't tell her he also plans to kill Drexl while he's there; a melee breaks out that leaves Drexl and his henchmen dead. Clarence grabs a suitcase that he thinks contains Alabama's clothes, but he discovers it instead holds five million dollars' worth of cocaine. The couple hits the road for California, planning to sell the dope and enjoy the good life in South America with the proceeds, but soon a group of very unhappy underworld characters are after them, as well as the police. True Romance also stars Dennis Hopper as Clarence's father, Christopher Walken as a mob boss who wants his cocaine back, Brad Pitt as a cheerful stoner, and Val Kilmer as the ghost of Elvis Presley. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, (more)
The first five women to graduate from the U.S. Navy's fighter pilot training program are organized into the "Tomcat Angels" by Craig Shoemaker, who is also sleeping with the heroine, Callie (Kerri Danesi). Callie gets shot down and tortured by the people she charmingly refers to as "ragheads," but gets a reprieve when an Arab general (played by the very non-Arab Brian Colgan) decides to make her his love-slave. The Angels find out about her capture from an expatriate Arab and mount an unconvincing rescue mission. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Five years ago, career criminal Johnny Banks (Henry Brown) was sent to prison on evidence provided to detective Hunter (Fred Dryer) by an anonymous informant. Now Banks is back in court, representing himself in an effort to beat the rap. The only way that Hunter can lock up Banks for keeps is to reveal the identity of his informant--a move that would undoubtedly prove fatal to at least one of the parties concerned! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Did detective Dee Dee McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) kill an innocent man in an alley shootout? All the evidence seems to point in this direction, and even McCall herself cannot be sure of what really went down. In order to clear his partner, Hunter (Fred Dryer) teams up with colorful street hustler Sporty James (Garret Morris), following a trail of fragmentary clues to a big-time gang of jewel thieves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the conclusion of a three-part story, McCall (Stepfanie Kramer]) is strangely recluctant to report her near-rape at the hands of the predatory Lloyd Fredericks (Frederick Coffin). Elsewhere, while rounding up a band of Satan worshippers, Hunter (Fred Dryer) is forced into another "shoot first and ask questions later" confrontation. And justice is meted out in a most unexpected fashion to the eminently corrupt jurist Warren Unger (Robert Reed). This episode was adapted from a novel by former police detective Dallas L. Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
Sergeant J.J. Striker (Charles Napier) is a hard-drinking cop who tracks down a serial killer that can seemingly repel bullets in this routine crime drama made in 1985. Sommers (Robert Zdar) kills prostitutes and paints Chinese symbols on his victims. Rene (Michelle Reese) is the hooker who teems up with Striker in an attempt to nab the killer. Gary Crosby plays an unpopular cop caught with a transvestite prostitute, with a bevy of beauties led by Tally Chanel and Ola Ray who play the ill-fated victims. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Napier, Michelle Reese, (more)
- 1986
Wealthy and powerful Roger Hennessy (Peter Haskell) insists upon calling all the shots as Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) investigate the kidnapping of Hennessy's young wife Laura (Katherine Moffat). Though Laura is returned unharmed once the ransom is paid, the case is far from closed: a witness who demanded a chunk of the ransom has turned up murdered. Going after the killer, the two detectives find that the trail of clues leads right back to Mr. and (especially) Mrs. Hennessy. Watch for a supporting appearance by a pre-Star Trek: The Next Generation Brent Spiner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Underworld fence Lucky Lacy (Ron Karabatsos) is robbed of $12 million in gems by a gang of young hoodlums. Hiring a huge, psychotic punker named Lincoln--played by John Matuszak, former gridiron rival of Hunter star Fred Dryer--to kill the thieves and retrieve the merchandise, Lacy launches a bloodbath that leaves many innocent victims in its wake. Inevitably, Hunter is forced to go "mano y mano" with the brutish Lincoln--and the odds are definitely not in his favor! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
After witnessing a murder committed by a hireling of drug kingpin Bogota (Marco Rodriguez), mercenary street hustler Sporty James (Garret Morris) hopes to turn the situation to his advantage. Intending to blackmail Bogota and retire in luxury on his ill-gotten gains, Sporty sends his girlfriend Marguerite (Tyra Ferrell) to deliver the extortion note to the drug lord. When Marguerite turns up dead, a guilt-stricken Sporty teams with "friendly enemies" Hunter (Fred Dryer) and McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) to get the goods on Bogota. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Season three of Hunter starts with a bang--actually several bangs--as police detective Rick Hunter (Fred Dryer) manages to shoot down one of two escaping murderers. Alas, the other killer gets away thanks to the interference of "gonzo" TV reporter Raoul Mercado (a thinly disguised "Geraldo" type played by Michael Wren). After Hunter has Mercado arrested, the reporter launches a personal vendetta against the detective, publicly raking him over the coals for his violent arrest record. Thus it is that when Mercado is killed by a car bomb, Hunter is Suspect Number One. With this episode, Captain Wyler (Bruce Davidson) is promoted to Deputy Chief; and Garret Morris becomes a regular in the formerly recurring role of street hustler Sporty James. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Jeff Bridges plays an LA sheriff who loses his job due to his inability to stay away from booze. While attending an AA meeting, Bridges is invited to attend a party, where he meets the beauteous Alexandra Paul. Also at the party is an old enemy of Bridges', druggie Randy Brooks. It doesn't take long for Bridges to figure out that Brooks is a pimp and Paul is one of his hookers. She begs Bridges to help her break away from Brooks. Not long afterward, Paul is killed, and Bridges crawls back into the bottle. Eventually sobering up, he vows to avenge Paul's death. Much blood is spilled before the killer is revealed (it isn't who you think); along the way, Bridges gets a new lease on life when he falls in love with ex-hooker Rosanna Arquette. An enormous flop, 8 Million Ways to Die is redeemed by Jeff Bridges' powerful performance. One hopes that the orignal Lawrence Block novel wasn't quite as confusing as the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, (more)
- 1983
The Clowns are the hottest new rock band on the scene, with a wild stage show that features simulated acts of violence and dismemberment. Outfitted identically in theatrical makeup and skin-tight outfits, not even their biggest fans know what they really look like or which one is which. One night after a Clowns performance, a drug dealer is found stabbed to death in the alley outside the theater, and the police believe that one of the group's crazed fans took their bloody stage antics a little too seriously. When a private party for the band results in a pile of mutilated groupies, the suspicion falls directly on the Clowns and their road crew. Could the killer be the hotheaded roadie, or maybe the pill-addict drummer? The introverted stagehand who secretly puts the band's makeup on to meet girls? The levelheaded manager who left behind a life of religious dogmatism for the rock & roll world? Or the guitarist who feels conflicted about the sick show the Clowns put on, and wonders just what is wrong with their fans? A young juvenile delinquent with a bad rap sheet is recruited by the police force to infiltrate the band's inner circle and search for clues to the maniac's identity, but she soon finds herself a target. In between the drug-fueled bashes and loud, pulsating rock, the killer stalks the bowels of the theater, waiting for another victim to destroy. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rick Styles, Chip Greenman, (more)
- 1981
- PG
This tuneful drama features the rock group Love Machine as it tells the tale of a record promoter hired by a crooked producer to fulfill affirmative action quotas. It is the hard-working, independent-minded promoter who discovers and develops the Love Machine, an all female group. The trouble begins when the group's lead singer is kidnapped and the promoter learns that his employer's label is really a front for the mob. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John R. Daniels, Gwen Brisco, (more)
- 1977
In this martial arts thriller, a bounty hunter must find and stop an urban slasher from killing any more women. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Viharo, Sherry Jackson, (more)
- 1973
Bushy-mustached character comedian Avery Schreiber and Jesus Christ Superstar leading man Ted Neely are among the participants in Southern Double Cross. It all begins when an American couple go on holiday to Mexico. Unbeknownst to the billing and cooing vacationers, they've been set up as smugglers. Certain bad guys have slipped valuable artifacts in the couple's luggage, intending to reclaim it-and rub out the two innocents-at a later date. We've seen this plot before in several other films, in locales ranging from Europe to India. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Seedy newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) is assigned the Las Vegas police beat by his boss Tony Vincenzo (Simon Oakland). A series of murders has been plaguing the Glitter Capital; the victims, all beautiful showgirls, have had the blood drained from their bodies. Kolchak can't understand why the authorities are so uncooperative as he probes the case. Nor can he believe the evidence he's gleaned on his own: There can't possibly be a Dracula-like vampire stalking Las Vegas, or can there? Adapted by Richard Matheson from a novel by Jeff Rice, The Night Stalker debuted January 11, 1972 - -and on that fateful evening, this thriller became the highest-rated TV movie up to its time, as well as an instant cult classic. The film spawned a popular sequel, The Night Strangler (1972), and a 1974 TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darren McGavin, Carol Lynley, (more)
- 1966
Don Edmonds guest stars as Oliver's (Eddie Albert) teenaged nephew Chuck, who shows up at the Douglas farm on his motorcycle, with shoulder-length hair and a guitar strapped around him. Had this episode been filmed in 1967, Chuck would have been described as a "hippie," but it's 1966, so he claims to be a beatnik. As Chuck tools around town "modernizing" every vehicle within his grasp, Oliver's handyman Eb (Tom Lester) decides to join the Beat Generation as well. This was the final episode of Green Acres' first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Directed by versatile standup comedian Lenny Weinrib, Wild Wild Winter is more palatable in its comic scenes than its musical interludes. Essentially a snowbound imitation of American-International's Beach Party series, the film stars such passing fancies of the 1960s as Gary Clarke, Chris Noel and Les Brown, Jr. The plot: Clarke poses as a millionaire to impress Noel, she finds out, everybody lives happily ever after. The musical acts include Jay and the Americans, The Beau Brummels, Dick and Dee Dee and Jackie and Gayle. Man, this sure is a swingin' snow-ball. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Clarke, Chris Noel, (more)
- 1966
Gidget (Sally Field) is up in arms (again!) when she finds out that her gang's favorite hamburger shack, the Shaggy Dog, is about to be torn down. Never mind that the shack is a seedy eyesore: Gidget organizes a protest against the cartel of businessmen who have the audacity to want to improve the property! Featured as "Socrates" is Lew Parker, still several months away from his more familiar role as Marlo Thomas' father on That Girl; also, that's Tim Rooney, son of Mickey Rooney, as Tommy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Singer Bobby Pickett of "Monster Mash" fame makes his second Petticoat Junction appearance, this time in the role of shy high school student Walter Thorp. As the only male in Hooterville High's home economics class, poor Walter is subjected to a lot of teasing by his fellow students. Things get so bad that Walter is in danger of flunking the class. Fortunately, Bobbie Jo (Gunilla Hutton) takes pity on Walter, and enlists the help of her mom Kate (Bea Benaderet) to secure the boy a passing grade. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Tomboy Betty Jo (Lori Saunders) unexpectedly catches the bridal bouquet at a wedding. Though she shivers at the prospect, Betty figures that she must do "the right thing" by being the next girl in Hooterville to march down the aisle. Problem is, she doesn't have a fiancé, or even a boyfriend--and thus begins a grim and dispassionate search for an eligible mate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
When Marilyn (Pat Priest) fails to catch the bridal bouquet at a wedding party, the Munsters are more convinced than ever that their "homely" niece will never get a beau. Hoping to remedy this situation, Grandpa (Al Lewis) attempts to turn a frog into a handsome prince. The effort fails, but Grandpa is unaware of this when a good-looking stranger appears outside the Munster Mansion. . .and we need not elaborate any further! Appearing in a supporting role is Jackie Coogan Jr., whose namesake father was concurrently starring on the "other" supernatural sitcom of the 1965-66 season, The Addams Family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
